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Jon Venables, who murdered a child, has been denied parole by the Parole Board due to concerns about the safety of the public if he were to be released at this time.
Venables was only 10 years old when he viciously tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993. He will now be serving a minimum of two more years in prison.
The individual, who is 41 years old, was previously let go on parole in July 2001 but was later sent back to prison in February 2010 when inappropriate images of children were discovered on his computer.
He was released once more in August 2013, but was summoned back in November 2017 for the same crime. His case was last reviewed by parole judges in September 2020.
In 1993, Jamie Bulger was subjected to torture and murder at the hands of Venables and Robert Thompson.
The choice to not release him was made after numerous delays and a private hearing in mid-November.
The Parole Board released a three-page summary on Wednesday, stating that after examining the details of the person’s crime, their progress while in jail and on probation, and the evidence in the file, the board determined that releasing them at this time would not ensure the safety of the public.
The report acknowledged the potential hazards mentioned earlier, expressed uncertainty about Mr Venables’ capability to be transparent and truthful with experts, and determined that he still needed to address ongoing levels of risk and improve his relationship with his probation officer.
He will have the opportunity to request a parole review again in two years.
Venables and Robert Thompson were both imprisoned for the brutal murder of James in one of the most well-known cases in the UK.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger who was murdered as a toddler, referred to Venables as a ‘monster’. (Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA)
The duo had snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, and left his mutilated body by a railway line.
At the age of 18, they were released from a youth detention center and given new identities. Thompson has not committed any further crimes since being released, but Venables has been sent back to prison twice.
Although justice minister Alex Chalk urged for him to stay in prison, a private hearing lasting two days was arranged for November 14th and 15th.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James, expressed that she would be emotionally devastated if Venables, whom she considers a “monster,” was released once again.
The Mirror reported her as saying, “The parole board has control over our destiny, and I implore them to make the best choice for all involved by keeping my son’s murderer in prison.”
“Venables has been given numerous opportunities in the past, but he has squandered them all. He shows a lack of concern for others, truly not caring about anyone.”
Additional information will be provided about this story.
Source: independent.co.uk
